The Magickal Pen

I sit in a place of quiet and
The tensions of the day fall like
Droplets of water at my feet.

Before me is a candle of light
That opens my mind to the
Potential that lays within.

Below me is the floor of
My home, the treasured
Strength and foundation
That supports and holds
Me in its warm embrace.

Above me is the shelter that
Keeps me warm and dry as
The elements rage and winter
Takes its icy hold.

Within me is the gift
Of a Universe of star-filled
Light and core of primal waters
That call me into their depths.

Time ceases and the rhythm and
Flow of Cosmic vibration’s
Design moves through me as
Subtle bodies respond to
The playing of their celestial
Light filled strands.

I sit and I connect with
My innermost thoughts
And this sacred space of
Physical and ephemeral
Holds my secrets and
With silent encouragement
Moves me along my chosen Path.

What do you claim as your space of spiritual practice? Is it a beautifully appointed room set aside only for the sacred work? Or, does it rest at the core center of who you are?

The notion of sacred space having to always be a definable and discernible location is one that is perpetuated. There is, of course, work that requires the establishment of a firmly defined locale that is prepared as sacred space, but I would like to expand that place of setting to be a definition that is inclusive of those places of spiritual practice that are limitless in their reach and less definable in their boundaries. If we consider the daily work we undertake for ourselves that is often dense with responsibility, short on personal time and filled with obligatory action, the definition of  a dedicated space of spiritual practice becomes less about the where and more about the who.

All around us people engage in some form of practice continually. By definition, the word practice means:

1. the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method as opposed to theories about such application or use.
2. repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.
3. carry out or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly.

These are all applicable at some (or many) times as we move through our day’s activities. These actions may not be defined as “spiritual” in nature, but the the fact is that we are inherently divinely spiritual beings. Therefore, every action, word, thought, effort we make (in any of the worlds, but most particularly in the physical realm) is part of an ongoing practice of becoming more engaged at deeper levels with what and who surrounds us. The opportunities are endless in offering diverse experiences that allow us to “practice” the art of spiritual awareness. A simple smile offered to one who seems unapproachable; the wishing of a good day to a stranger or the speaking up on behalf of someone whose voice does not have the strength to be heard are all points of lessons learned from practice.

Many of us believe that living a life that is full and enriched by our spiritual path is one that occurs 24/7-365 days a year. If we make our best effort at living the expression of that belief then every setting we find ourselves in, whether it be the meditation room or the board room of your workplace, is indeed sacred space. What occurs in that space may be less than a positive expression of our higher nature, but that does not negate the fact that the space that is holding that energy remains sacred all the while. Imagine how that thought process would potentially change the interactions had and the outcomes achieved?

Now, I am not suggesting a pollyanna approach and an “everything is beautiful” attitude in every situation. Quite the contrary. I believe that we rise to our spiritual best in times of adversity if we hold true to the intent that the sacred is all around us and treat each situation, no matter how difficult, with carefully weighed response. The slow and steady daily strengthening of intent and refining of our will towards a state of flexible response becomes the transparent support for the time we spend in meditation, working our magick or honing our energetic bodies. The challenges we face in daily interaction are not so dissimilar to those we encounter as we stretch ourselves towards quieting our minds in contemplation or pushing ourselves a bit further in the magick we weave.

As we become more inclusive of our environment as sacred space in our spiritual work, the extension of this realm of earth towards the greater Cosmos is not so far a leap. We open the lens of our perception a little wider and begin to notice the sun, the moon and the stars and the subtle effects each has on our deeper work. We sit in quiet reflection opening our consciousness to be fully present in the sacred space we have established and transform that space into the tapestry of our solar system. The sun takes on a different form, the Moon becomes the face of the Goddess and the stars tell the story of ancient lands and beings of great power. We draw our consciousness back into the reality of our physical space and return from the vastness of an indefinable and boundless space of practice forever changed.

So, as you go through your day, see the sacredness of this physical experience as a gift of trial and error. Practice the art of your spiritual truths with each breath of inhalation and each sigh of release. Look up towards the heavens and breath into the vastness of a sacred space of which you have access by the will of true intent. Bring the sacred into every aspect of your being and step fully into being the sacred space of your spiritual practice.

So Mote It Be!